*A 15-year-old in Michigan who spent time with D.C. United's under-17 academy squad at the SUM Cup this summer claims that he was offered a three-year, six-figure annual contract by the club. DCU was apparently not contacted for the story. General Manager Dave Kasper tells the Insider: "Not true -- he was a guest player with our 17s at the SUM Cup and that's it."

*The Togo squad that lost a friendly at Bahrain last week was a "fake."

Is that an sports page article or a press release about Mahamoudou Kaba? For the author David Goricki or an editor for The Detroit News not to fact check the three year deal with DC United claim is just poor journalism.

Sure hope the kid was telling the truth, though. Maybe the denial by Kaspar will blow up in his face and cause him to step down amidst the shame of lying to the press.

Between the Australian who had his house sold while he was on vacation by Nigerian identity thieves and the Bahranians taken in by a fake FIFA agent selling a "national team friendly", this has been a bangup week for African scam artists.

Great article on the Red Bulls. Really illustrates the relationships between back office, the stadium, the performance on the pitch and fan participation. When things go right, a lot of things go right (Red Bulls), and when things go wrong, they go wrong all over (DCU).

"DC United offered me a three-year pro contract after I played with them in the MLS Youth Cup, practicing with the team this year, then playing for them next year. I turned it down. I want to finish high school."

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